Violent storm leaves senior couple homeless: 'It’s all over now'
- Replies 14
In the blink of an eye, a peaceful afternoon turned into a nightmare for an elderly South Australian couple when a violent storm caused a tree to crash onto their houseboat.
This incident has left them homeless and with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Pam, 77, and David, 82, were enjoying their retirement years living on their beloved houseboat, named 'Pamela's Joy', moored on the tranquil waters of South Australia's Murray River.
But on February 13, as they sat in their living room, a sudden storm uprooted a tree that fell onto their houseboat, causing it to cave in.
Their granddaughter, Shenay Harris, recounted the harrowing incident, expressing her disbelief and gratitude that her grandparents escaped with only minor injuries.
'My nan was actually stuck. Her legs were pinned from all the rubble of the roof caving in, and my pop managed to be able to stand up and reach for the phone to call emergency services,' Harris said.
'Looking at the boat and where they were sitting and everything, we have no idea how they are still with us.'
'It’s just absolutely amazing that they’re still here, and they’re OK.'
The houseboat was more than just a home for Pam and David.
It was a symbol of their retirement dream and a local icon known for its colourful artwork painted by David.
'My pop, he’s absolutely shattered,' Harris added.
'[He] said to us, “It’s all over now.” [We’re] trying to reassure him [that] “No, it’s just a new beginning.”'
For 23 years, the couple lived on the boat, creating a lifetime of memories.
'It’s been my whole childhood and life with them living on the boat.'
'I remember going there as a kid, and tourist boats full of people would slow down and almost stop as they went past for people to take photos,' Harris reminisced.
Unfortunately, the houseboat was not insured at the time of the accident, leaving the couple with no financial recourse.
They are now living with family members until they can find permanent housing.
An online fundraiser has been launched to support the couple in their time of need.
'They’ve literally just lost everything they’ve got, you know, no assets, nowhere to go, no money.'
'They’re both pensioners. They’ve really got nothing to their name now, having lost the boat. So really just to get them back on their feet.'
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This incident has left them homeless and with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Pam, 77, and David, 82, were enjoying their retirement years living on their beloved houseboat, named 'Pamela's Joy', moored on the tranquil waters of South Australia's Murray River.
But on February 13, as they sat in their living room, a sudden storm uprooted a tree that fell onto their houseboat, causing it to cave in.
A senior couple’s beloved houseboat was destroyed during a violent storm in Murray River. Image source: GoFundMe/Shenay Harris.
Their granddaughter, Shenay Harris, recounted the harrowing incident, expressing her disbelief and gratitude that her grandparents escaped with only minor injuries.
'My nan was actually stuck. Her legs were pinned from all the rubble of the roof caving in, and my pop managed to be able to stand up and reach for the phone to call emergency services,' Harris said.
'Looking at the boat and where they were sitting and everything, we have no idea how they are still with us.'
'It’s just absolutely amazing that they’re still here, and they’re OK.'
The houseboat was more than just a home for Pam and David.
It was a symbol of their retirement dream and a local icon known for its colourful artwork painted by David.
'My pop, he’s absolutely shattered,' Harris added.
'[He] said to us, “It’s all over now.” [We’re] trying to reassure him [that] “No, it’s just a new beginning.”'
For 23 years, the couple lived on the boat, creating a lifetime of memories.
'It’s been my whole childhood and life with them living on the boat.'
'I remember going there as a kid, and tourist boats full of people would slow down and almost stop as they went past for people to take photos,' Harris reminisced.
Unfortunately, the houseboat was not insured at the time of the accident, leaving the couple with no financial recourse.
They are now living with family members until they can find permanent housing.
An online fundraiser has been launched to support the couple in their time of need.
'They’ve literally just lost everything they’ve got, you know, no assets, nowhere to go, no money.'
'They’re both pensioners. They’ve really got nothing to their name now, having lost the boat. So really just to get them back on their feet.'
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